How soon do you buy travel insurance?

[DebHorner04]

We are taking our 2nd Disney Cruise in June 2018. Since our PIF date is still awhile away, I haven't purchased travel insurance yet. Is it better to purchase now, or after our PIF date?

Our first cruise was in April 2017---we booked thru AAA and purchased the insurance thru them when we PIF. Our next cruise is booked thru DU.

TIA

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are taking our 2nd Disney Cruise in June 2018. Since our PIF date is still awhile away, I haven't purchased travel insurance yet. Is it better to purchase now, or after our PIF date?

Our first cruise was in April 2017---we booked thru AAA and purchased the insurance thru them when we PIF. Our next cruise is booked thru DU.

TIA

When to purchase travel insurance is really a personal choice as to what works best for you.

I always buy within 14-21 days of initial payment for any given trip, as we're interested in pre-existing conditions coverage.

For others - that's not important.

One thing, it typically costs more for the same coverage the closer to the trip you purchase.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Ive traveled from the far east, the west coast of the US to Europe. Cruises, all inclusives, air BNB's, hotels and VRBos and have never purchased travel insurance.

 

[fredandkell]

For best coverage purchase within 14 days of initial payment. See my thread from yesterday "A Cautionary Tale" for specifics!

 

[dskib]

If you're not worried about the 14 days thing, I wait until I've booked something non-refundable.

 

[kiford]

We usually buy as soon as we purchase the first major thing - usually it's a cruise or flights. This "locks in" the date so that anything that occurs after that date either allows cancellation or, if medical, is not excluded as a pre-existing condition. You can add to the insurance coverage as new non-refundable expenditures are made.

 

[cargo13]

Purchase of travel insurance depends on what you are trying to cover:
Helpful info here: https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/travel-resources/timing-when-to-buy-travel-insurance.html


PRE TRIP expenses:
If you have major $$ investment, non refundable, DCL /other wont give you credit, then the trip cancellation coverage is important. You must buy when you buy your DCL or trip (1st payment). Travel insurance providers have a free look period (usually 10-14 days) where you can buy their insurance and get a full refund within the fee look period. We always buy travel insurance @ time of trip booking and then decide if need to cancel within the free look period).

IN TRIP coverages:
If you want the in trip coverages like medical, evac, baggage, etc. You can buy right up to departure and the cost of travel insurance is less.
But watch that you wont be covered for pre existing medical conditions--we have found the most liberal coverage on pre existing medical conditions with GENERALI Travel Insurance (used to be CSA) which is a PIF/final payment.